(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) Firefighters extinguished a house fire along Old Chesterbrook Road in McLean.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue tweeted about the fire in the 6800 block of Old Chesterbrook Road at 10:51 a.m. The fire department tweeted at 11:09 a.m. that firefighters located the fire in the basement.
“Firefighters working to extinguish the fire in walls and between floors,” the fire department tweeted shortly after 11:30 a.m.
The occupants are safe and didn’t receive any injuries, the fire department said.
Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire, which firefighters were able to extinguish shortly before 12:30 p.m.
UPDATE from scene of house fire in 6800 block of Old Chesterbrook Road in McLean. Firefighters working to extinguish fire in walls and between floors. All occupants accounted for and safe. #FCFRD #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/126124vvcx
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) December 18, 2019
Map via Google Maps
Sunrise’s new proposal to build a senior living facility at 380 Maple Avenue will go before the Town of Vienna’s zoning and architectural review boards this week.
The new plans include approximately 950 square feet of ground-floor restaurant space and 85 assisted living units and common areas, along with structured parking and one level of underground parking, according to town documents.
Tonight (Wednesday), the plans head to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a public hearing on the request for the conditional use permit.
Then on Thursday (Dec. 19), the Board of Architectural Review will hold a public hearing on exterior modifications for Sunrise’s plan.
Both public hearings start at 8 p.m. at the Vienna Town Hall (127 Center Street S.)
Image via Sunrise
People in the Tysons area had a chance last night to provide feedback on several preliminary concepts that would change the Silver, Orange and Blue lines.
The concepts are a part of a two-year study to address both short- and long-term needs. For people in Tysons, one option would let trains turn back at different areas along the Orange, Blue or Silver Lines, while another option would create new Silver Line connections north or south of I-66.
Around 5 p.m. last night (Tuesday), a dozen attendees showed up to the open house at the Courtyard by Marriott Tysons-McLean (1960A Chain Bridge Road) — just in time for a presentation by Mark Phillips, the project manager for the reliability study.
Phillips said that capacity issues at the Rosslyn tunnel for the three lines prompted the study.
“It’s created reliability issues,” Phillips said. “If there is a breakdown, which has happened a couple of times this week, on one line, it impacts the other two.”
Phillips said that dangerous activity — like people holding the doors open and overcrowding — and an expected increase in ridership along the three lines also prompted the study.
By 2040, an 18% increase in daily ridership — roughly 40,000 new riders — is expected on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines, according to informational boards at the meeting.
Informational boards gave the benefits and trade-offs for all of the preliminary concepts, along with a board comparing how the concepts do or do not meet Metro’s four goals: capacity, reliability, flexibility and sustainability.
People have until Jan. 6 to provide feedback via an online survey.
The list of ideas will get narrowed down once feedback from the public and external stakeholders — including six technical and advisory committees — has been received. A cost/benefit analysis is set to happen in the spring or summer, followed by a recommendation in the fall.
Phillips said that he expects the recommendation to include both short- and long-term changes.
For people who haven’t purchased holiday gifts for friends, family or loved ones yet, they’ve still got a chance with several holiday markets and malls around the Tysons area.
The Vienna Arts Society’s Holiday Pop-up Art Market (101 NW Church Street) will stay open until this Sunday (Dec. 22). The collection offers shoppers items from hundreds of artists, according to the website, including jewelry, multimedia art, clothing, accessories and more.
The final hours of operation for the market are Thursday from noon until 8 p.m., Friday from noon until 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m.
Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria both have extended hours of operation during the coming days but both locations will be closed on Christmas (Dec. 25).
For those who cannot get enough of handmade and local items, The Creative Collective POPUP in Tysons Corner Center, adjacent to BrandBox on level one, carries items from roughly 20 artisans, authors and designers. Examples of gifts found in the shops are handcrafted leather accessories, bathrobes, jewelry and storybooks.
The pop-up will remain open until Christmas Eve during mall hours. Visitors even have the chance to speak with the artists themselves.
For those willing to go out of their way, another holiday market in Fairfax will be open from De. 20-22 at Old Town Square (10415 North Street) from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The events will feature live music, food, drinks and craft vendors from around NoVA.
Photo via Vienna Arts Society/Facebook
Sechoir is moving to a new spot — but it’s not far from where its currently located near the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station.
The medical spa and hair salon is currently located at 2674D Avenir Place. Signs say that it is moving to 2672J Avenir Place.
According to the signs, Sechoir offers facials, Botox, waxing, eyelash extensions, laser hair removal, cellulite reduction and more.
Along that street, a Fairfax County permit indicates that iFix is coming to 2674E Avenir Place.
The W&OD Railroad Regional Park may get parallel walking and bicycle trails in the City of Falls Church.
The city’s Planning Commission held a work session on the proposed plans last night (Monday).
The dual-path would run between N. West and Little Falls streets, according to the city documents.
“The project would include replacing the existing 10-foot wide shared-use trail with an 11-foot wide bicycle trail and an 8-foot-wide pedestrian trail separated by a 2-foot-wide stamped asphalt buffer,” the documents say.
The city is also working on updating four W&OD crossings:
- N. Spring Street
- N. Oak Street
- Great Falls Street
- Little Falls Street
Staff said at the meeting last night that the new paths and crossings would improve safety.
Stormwater management still needs to be coordinated between the city’s Department of Public Works and Nova Parks, staff said.
The proposed plan appears to match the city’s vision for the W&OD. The city’s W&OD Master Plan calls for separated walking and biking trails, along with improved intersection crossings, new plazas and restored lighting, according to the city.
Meanwhile, the city’s Comprehensive Plan desires either trail widening or adding a parallel pedestrian path, the documents say.
While the commissioners voiced support for the plan, Chair Russell Wodiska said that he wants to give residents a chance to comment on the proposal. Locals can expect a public hearing to happen in the near future.
Images via Falls Church
Neiman Marcus Last Call’s days are numbered at the Mosaic District.
The clearance outlet for the Neiman Marcus chain plans to close its spot at 2905 District Avenue, Suite 100 by Jan. 20, store employees said.
“Entire Store on Sale!” and “Save 50%-75% Entire Store!” signs popped up last Thursday (Dec. 13), an employee said.
Inside the spacious store, shoppers can find designer dresses, handbags, shoes, holiday gift sets, athletic clothes, men’s and women’s clothes and more. The store appeared well-stocked when Tysons Reporter stopped by earlier today (Tuesday). This reporter found a lace blouse from Laundry By Shelli Segal — normally $79 — for $34.50 and $4 bath bombs.
The 50%-75% discounts apply to the lowest price listed on the tags, an employee said.
“Get Back in the Book!” by Larry Issa has only been in circulation for less than a year but it’s already sold more than 1,500 copies around the Northern Virginia area.
Issa’s picture book is about a young boy named Danny who writes his own book but catches the characters trying to sneak out of the pages because they think the book is boring. Danny ends up teaching his creations the value of books and convinces them that their happy place is within their own story.
Issa told Tysons Reporter that he hopes the message resonates with kids, and they take away a deeper appreciation for literature.
“A lot of my family members are teachers, and one complaint is that reading levels are going down,” he said.
Issa, who is from the McLean area, said he wants to encourage kids around the area and globe to love literature just as much as he did as a kid.
All of the characters in the book are inspired by things he loves doing or what he wanted to be growing up. The dinosaur tends to be a popular character, but Issa said the astronaut is his personal favorite.
In November, Issa won the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award in first-place for the picture book category.
When it came to the book design and art, Issa approached British artist Emma Chadwick with an idea for a partnership after discovering her art portfolio on Instagram.
As a designer, Issa had a very distinctive plan for what he hoped the book would become and said that he and Chadwick worked well as a cohesive team after accepting the offer. They agreed that a darker color scheme would suit the story well since the book takes place on a school night in the child’s bedroom.
When not working as a professional designer, Issa spends a lot of his time performing readings to school kids and selling his books at local shops, markets and festivals.
As a self-publisher, Issa began giving advice to others who want to publish children’s books and began his new brand — Kalmus Books. He said some of his mentees are planning to publish their books under Kalamus in the future.
Issa told Tysons Reporter that the best advice he can give future authors is to just put themselves out there and start writing, adding that his book went through more than 25 rounds of edits before publication.
He currently coordinates with schools and local charities to give away copies of his book to students in need and seeking donation sponsors to follow in the footsteps of The Closet in Herndon, who recently purchased 100 copies.
People can email Larry Issa if they are interested in helping the cause.
“Get Back in the Book” is available in hard-cover and can be purchased in person at a variety of popups for $18.99 or online, for $21.
Issa said he made the copies slightly more expensive online because he wants to encourage the community to check out markets and book stores in-person.
Although he has received requests for digital and soft-cover copies, he said he doesn’t want to release them just yet because these formats weaken the storytelling experience.
“We are all about the aesthetics,” Issa said.
If anyone wants to meet Issa and purchase their own copy of the book signed on-site, they are welcome to stop by the holiday market in Tysons Corner Center, where he can usually be found during mall hours until Tuesday (Dec. 24), when the pop-up shop closes.
“Get Back in the Book” can also be purchased at Scrawl Books (11911 Freedom Drive).
Issa expects to publish another book soon.
He told Tysons Reporter that hints or “easter eggs” for the upcoming book can be seen in drawings from the main character in”Get Back in the Book.”
Images courtesy Larry Issa
(Updated 12/19/19) Last night, the members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors were sworn in.
The 10-member board will see four new faces in the New Year, including Dalia Palchik, the new representative for Tysons.
Here is information on who will be in the seats at the board’s first meeting next year.
Chairman: Jeffrey McKay
McKay was first elected to the board in 2007, serving as the Lee District Supervisor until the end of this year, according to his county bio. Prior to joining the board, he was the chief of staff to former Lee District Supervisor Dana Kauffman from 1996 through 2007.
McKay beat three challengers to clinch the Democratic nomination for the county board’s chair in the June primary before defeating Republican Joseph Galdo in the November election.
Hunter Mill District: Walter Alcorn
Alcorn will fill the seat of Cathy Hudgins, who served on the board for five terms and announced her retirement at the start of this year. He beat five Democrat challengers in the primary.
Alcorn is a former Fairfax County Planning Commissioner and served on the Fairfax County Park Authority Board. He has also worked as a policy aide in the Providence District supervisor’s office and was the president of the Herndon High School PTSA.
Lee District: Rodney Lusk
McKay’s run for the chair left the Lee District seat open. Lusk beat three Democratic challengers in the June primary.
Lusk has been a Fairfax County employee for the past 29 years — including working for then-Supervisor Gerry Connelly as a land use zoning aide and most recently as the national marketing director for the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, according to his campaign website.
Providence District: Dalia Palchik
Palchik grew up in the area after immigrating with her family to the United States at an early age from Argentina. She was elected to the Fairfax County School Board in 2015 and served as the Providence District Representative.
Just days after current Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth announced in December that she wouldn’t seek election, Palchik jumped into the race and defeated four Democratic challengers in the June primary. In November, she beat Republican Eric Anthony Jones.
Sully District: Kathy Smith
First elected to the board in 2016, Smith was re-elected as Sully District Supervisor in November, beating Republican Srilekha Palle.
Previously, Smith served as the Sully District Representative to the Fairfax County School Board for 14 years, including as the chairman three times, according to her county bio. She was also a teacher for seven years and taught in her home state of New Jersey.
Mount Vernon District: Daniel Storck
Storck was first elected as Mount Vernon District Supervisor in 2015 and reelected this fall.
He has developed and owned healthcare, benefits and insurance consulting firms and was previously a school board member from 2004-2015, according to his county bio. Notable resume item: he also was an Abraham Lincoln impersonator.
Braddock District: James Walkinshaw
Walkinshaw, a former chief of staff to Rep. Gerry Connolly, announced his run for the seat to replace Republican John Cook, who retired. He beat Republican Jason Remer and independent candidate Carey Chet Campbell in November.
Walkinshaw previously volunteered as a mentor to at-risk boys through Fairfax County’s Befriend-A-Child program and joined Fairfax County’s Council to End Domestic Violence, according to his campaign website.
He serves on the Board of the Ravensworth Farm Civic Association and is a volunteer with the Friends of Lake Accotink Park, the bio says.
Dranesville District: John Foust
First elected to the board in 2007, Foust was reelected to represent McLean, Great Falls and Herndon residents on the county board. He defeated Republican Ed Martin in the November election.
Originally from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Foust has been living in Northern Virginia since 1981 and in McLean since 1987, according to his county bio. Foust worked in steel mills and practiced construction law in Northern Virginia.
Mason District: Penelope Gross
In the November election, Gross was able to keep her seat, defeating Republican Gary Aiken. She was first elected to the board in 1995, according to her county bio.
Previously, she worked as a staffer in various congressional offices, served on the Board of the Lincolnia Park Civic Association and was on the Executive Board of the Mason District Council of Civic Associations, her bio says.
Springfield District: Pat Herrity
Herrity hung onto his seat, beating Democrat Linda Sperling. He was first elected to the board in 2007, according to his campaign website. Herrity’s father was a former chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
With Cook retiring, Herrity will be the only Republican on the board in 2020.
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to have their first meeting in 2020 on Jan. 14.
For those hoping to get a jump start on their New Year’s resolutions, a new gym opened yesterday (Dec. 16) in The Boro.
F45 (1640 Boro Place, Suite 206) now offers customers a variety of training and workouts, including cardio and strength training, according to the website.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the center focuses on helping people improve their cardio. On Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday participants will work on strength and resistance training. The center also offers mixed-exercise classes on Saturdays.
The location is running a promotion for a week of free classes if anyone is interested in the gym. After that, a studio membership costs $50 per week for unlimited classes.
Leading up to its official opening yesterday, the location offered trial classes for community members.
Classes take place throughout the day, beginning at 5:30 a.m. A full schedule can be found online.
Around November, an independently owned Verison Wireless store (8301 Greensboro Drive) opened next door to Tropical Smoothie Cafe. The location offers phones with a variety of carrier plans.
Photo via F45/Facebook
